Columbia College Admission Requirements

4 Year
Chicago, IL
5.0 1 review

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Columbia College Admission Overview

Columbia College has open admission. If you have a high school diploma or GED and complete the application, you are eligible to enroll. There is no SAT, ACT, or GPA cutoff.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Columbia College has open admission. Eligible applicants are admitted.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Columbia College Acceptance Rate

Open Admission Policy

Columbia College has open admission. Eligible applicants who complete the application are admitted. Confirm current requirements on the school's site.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Columbia College GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.41

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.41

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Columbia College typically have around a 3.41 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades.

The school ranks #27 in Illinois for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Columbia College Chicago freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	14.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	14.0%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	18.0%	Avg +
3.25 to 3.49	16.0%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	15.0%	Avg -
2.50 to 2.99	16.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	5.0%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	1.0%	Reach
less than 1.00	0%	Reach

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

70% of Columbia College Chicago freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 34% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Columbia College Chicago students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	11%
Top 25% of class	34%
Top 50% of class	70%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

Open admission is about eligibility, not a percent chance. See what you need to apply.

Open the Columbia College chances calculator

Applying

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Columbia College Chicago and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Columbia College Chicago application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

335

Applicants have 335 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Columbia College Chicago is $25.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Columbia College Chicago
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Columbia College is open admission for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 89.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.41 GPA (about an B+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025